New Delhi, November 12, 2023 - Despite a ban on firecrackers during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, a toxic haze engulfed the city of New Delhi on Sunday as residents defied the restrictions. The Indian capital, already struggling with heavy pollution, witnessed smoke plumes filling the sky as revelers celebrated the country's biggest festival.

Government authorities and the Supreme Court of India frequently impose bans on firecrackers during Diwali, but enforcement has been limited. This year was no exception, as the ban was widely disregarded by the public.

According to data from the federal pollution control board, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi averaged 219 across all 40 monitoring stations, indicating "poor" conditions that can severely impact people's health on prolonged exposure. The concentration of "PM2.5" poisonous particulate matter in the air reached around 100 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended maximum by 20 times.

On a global scale, India's eastern city of Kolkata ranked as the most polluted, while New Delhi ranked as the fifth-most polluted city, as reported by Swiss group IQAir.

Experts have warned that the air quality is expected to worsen on Monday as the smoke from the firecrackers lingers in the atmosphere. This can lead to symptoms such as itchy eyes and throat irritation.

"I can see my patients getting distressed. As a society, we have not realized the importance of clean air," expressed Desh Deepak, a senior consultant at Delhi's Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

The ban on firecrackers during Diwali has been a subject of contention for some Hindus, who view it as an infringement on their religious festivities.

Earlier in the day, Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai had urged citizens to refrain from using firecrackers to avoid respiratory problems later on.

Although there was temporary relief in the form of rain over the weekend, bringing the AQI below 160, it did little to mitigate the overall pollution levels. The winter months in New Delhi typically witness heavy smog as particulate matter becomes trapped in the cold air, leading to an increase in respiratory distress cases.

As New Delhi grapples with high pollution levels and frequent breaches of firecracker bans, concerns over public health and the continuous struggle with air quality remain at the forefront. Urgent actions are needed to address this ongoing issue and protect the well-being of the city's residents.